TECHNOLOGY
The Japan Marine Science and Technology Centre (JAMSTEC) and Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Industries (IHI) have developed a floating wave energy device called Mighty Whale.
This generates electricity from wave power, and the system started full scale generation experiments for 2 years in the test location of Goksho Bay, Mie Prefecture at the end of 1998. The system is 50 m long, 30 m wide, and has the shape of a whale.
When ocean waves enter the three air chambers at the front of the system, the water levels inside the chambers are oscillated, and a pneumatic flow generated. This pneumatic flow revolves an installed air turbine, the interlinked generator is revolved, and the wave energy converted into electrical energy.
The system incorporates a floating breakwater function for suppressing ocean waves. The compressor inside the system generates compressed air that can be utilised for piping up clean deepsea water, or for purifying water by aeration.